Government forces corporation to undergo 'end-to-end' review of every one of its offices
The Housing Corporation is to be subjected to a sweeping review of its operations.

Almost a year to the day since the corporation lost its inspection role to the Audit Commission, the government has demanded an "end-to-end" review of every office of the corporation.

The review – yet to be formally signed off by deputy prime minister John Prescott – will look at how the corporation translates government policy into action

and how it works with housing associations and other stakeholder agencies such as English Partnerships.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Housing Corporation will join forces to undertake the review, which is set to begin in October and conclude in the spring. Its findings will be implemented by April 2004.

Genie Turton, director-general of housing at the ODPM, is to chair the steering group that will direct the review. The corporation chairman Peter Dixon and chief executive Norman Perry will also take up seats on the group.

The full list of members has yet to be confirmed, but it includes Jim Coulter, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, and a representative from the Local Government Association.

Perry said the review would not pose any threat to the corporation's long-term future. He said: "There is no hidden agenda. The question as to whether the corporation needs to exist has been settled. The deputy prime minister is already on the record as saying how much he values the corporation.

There would have been logic in delaying the review – but as it is proceeding, it is a golden opportunity to clarify issues

Jim Coulter, National Housing Federation

"What we stand to gain is an external view of how the process of ongoing change within the corporation is working."

The review is the latest in a series of upheavals for the corporation (see "A catalogue of change", left).

Coulter said: "The decision on the review has already been taken, but there would definitely have been logic in delaying it for a few months.

"However, as it is proceeding, it is a golden opportunity to clarify issues around the precise remit and membership of the nine regional housing boards.

"It will also examine the corporation's approach to regulation and whether or not its current approach is consistent across all areas. Investment will also come under the microscope.

"We need a common-sense, practical outcome. The last thing we need is more uncertainty in the corporation's key areas of regional policy, regulation and investment."

A catalogue of change at the corporation

April 2000
Financial, management and policy review of the corporation’s effectiveness by the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions February 2003
Housing Partnerships, the corporation’s joint venture with English Partnerships, set up April 2003
Audit Commission takes over inspection of housing associations from the corporation April 2003
Chair Brenda Dean says there will come a time when the question of merger with English Partnerships “must be asked” June 2003
The corporation unveils changes to investment rules including more partnering with large housing associations July 2003
Peter Dixon chosen to replace Brenda Dean as chair of the corporation in October

Source

Housing Today